The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is more than just a retail event; it’s a benchmark in the annual beauty calendar, a highly anticipated period where shoppers can access coveted editor-approved favorites, exclusive gift sets, and luxurious splurges at significantly reduced prices. This year’s iteration, running from July 18 through August 9, is particularly noteworthy, not only because it’s open to the public without requiring special cardholder status, but also because Nordstrom is celebrating its 125th anniversary. This milestone is marked by the retailer offering its largest beauty assortment on sale to date, presenting an unparalleled opportunity for consumers to acquire premium products, including many recognized by Allure as Best of Beauty and Readers’ Choice Award winners.
This annual sale provides a strategic window for consumers to either replenish their staple beauty products or explore high-end items they might typically deem an indulgence. Whether the objective is to replace a well-loved styling tool, restock essential sun protection, finally acquire that signature fragrance, or even get a head start on holiday gift-giving, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale presents an opportune moment to invest in prestige beauty. With hundreds of deals meticulously reviewed, this selection highlights the standout offers that are poised to be among the first to sell out.
A Legacy of Luxury: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale’s Enduring Appeal
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has established itself as a premier event in the retail landscape, distinguished by its unique sale structure. Unlike typical end-of-season clearances, this sale offers brand-new arrivals at discounted prices before their official launch. This strategy generates significant buzz and demand, particularly within the beauty sector, where high-quality formulations and sought-after brands command premium pricing. The sale’s timing, typically in the heart of summer, also positions it as a crucial period for consumers looking to refresh their beauty routines before the fall season.
Nordstrom’s commitment to customer service and curated selections has cemented the Anniversary Sale’s reputation. The beauty category, in particular, benefits from this focus, often featuring exclusive bundles and value sets that are not available at other times of the year. This year’s 125th anniversary underscores the retailer’s longevity and its deep understanding of consumer desires, translating into an expansive beauty offering that caters to a wide spectrum of needs and preferences. The inclusion of Allure‘s award-winning products further validates the quality and desirability of the items featured, assuring shoppers of their investment.
Unveiling the Top Beauty Deals: A Curated Selection
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is a treasure trove for beauty enthusiasts, offering significant savings on a wide array of products. This year, the selection is particularly impressive, with a focus on replenishing essentials and indulging in luxury.
Makeup Must-Haves
Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick & Pop Lip + Cheek Oil Gift Set
The iconic Clinique Black Honey lipstick has achieved cult status for its universally flattering, sheer mauve tint that enhances natural lip color. This beloved product, a recipient of the Allure Readers’ Choice Award, is celebrated for its smooth application and buildable coverage. The set includes the classic Almost Lipstick and a complementary Pop Lip + Cheek Oil, offering a dewy flush for both lips and cheeks. The appeal of Black Honey lies in its ability to provide a sophisticated yet effortless look, making it a perennial favorite for those seeking a subtle enhancement. The inclusion of the lip and cheek oil offers versatility, allowing for a coordinated glow across multiple facial features.
Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Make Me Blush & Loveshine Lip Oil Stick 2-Piece Makeup Gift Set
This luxurious set from Yves Saint Laurent offers a sophisticated pairing for a polished look. It features the Make Me Blush Bold Blurring Powder Blush, known for its silky texture and high pigmentation, ensuring a little goes a long way. The accompanying Loveshine Lip Oil Stick is a hybrid formulation that combines the comfort of a balm with the shine of a gloss, enriched with six nourishing oils to provide lasting hydration. Contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee notes the blush’s exceptional texture and color payoff, highlighting its value even for those who typically prefer lighter makeup. This set is an ideal choice for achieving a coordinated and radiant appearance with minimal effort.
Westman Atelier Petite Baby Cheeks Blush & Lit Up Highlight Stick Duo
For those aspiring to a fresh, dewy complexion, this duo from Westman Atelier is an indispensable addition. The Baby Cheeks Blush Stick delivers a smooth, blendable color, enriched with skin-conditioning ingredients like jojoba seed oil and vitamins C and E, while kaolin clay helps to absorb excess oil. The Lit Up Highlight Stick complements the blush with its light-reflecting mica and antioxidant-rich grape extract, imparting a luminous, lit-from-within glow. Senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick praises the blush stick’s seamless application and flattering finish. The duo’s cream formula makes it ideal for on-the-go application, requiring no brushes for a natural finish.
Armani Beauty Effortless Eyes Eyeshadow & Mascara Trio Gift Set
Armani’s Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadows are renowned for their exceptional performance, particularly on mature lids. Makeup artist Lisa Aharon highlights their smooth glide, impressive longevity, and versatility for layering. This curated set includes two shades of the liquid eyeshadow – a creamy tan matte and a soft champagne shimmer – along with a travel-size of the Vertigo Lift Mascara. The mascara is formulated to be weightless, providing lift, length, and a fanned-out effect for defined lashes. This trio offers a comprehensive solution for creating polished eye looks that are both sophisticated and easy to achieve.
Chanel Most-Coveted Beauty Set
This exclusive Chanel set is a testament to the brand’s enduring allure. It features three of Chanel’s iconic beauty products: the La Mousse Camellia Cleansing Cream-to-Foam, which effectively removes impurities and makeup while nourishing the skin with camellia-derived ceramides. The set also includes the Volume de Chanel Mascara, designed to deliver instant, buildable volume and length to lashes. Completing the trio is the Rouge Coco Baume Shine in Honey Bliss, a hydrating tinted lip balm that offers buildable color, a glossy finish, and long-lasting comfort. The combination of these essentials provides a luxurious and effective skincare and makeup routine, embodying Chanel’s signature elegance.
MAC Glossy Comfort Lip Combo Kit
MAC Cosmetics continues to dominate the lip market with its latest offering. This kit features the brand’s iconic neutral Lip Pencil in Velvet Teddy, a shade celebrated for its versatility and flattering tone. Paired with this is the Lipglass Air Non-Sticky Gloss in Casual, a lightweight formula infused with a blend of nourishing oils—coconut, jojoba, and meadowfoam seed—to provide a high-shine, glass-like finish for up to eight hours. Social media manager Bianca Richards attests to the creamy texture and excellent color payoff of MAC’s lip pencils, making this duo a reliable choice for creating polished, comfortable lip looks.
Hourglass Essentials Makeup Brush Set
Maintaining a pristine collection of makeup brushes is crucial for optimal application, and this set from Hourglass offers a significant upgrade. It comprises three of the brand’s most popular brushes: the Ambient Lighting Edit Brush, lauded for its ability to reach intricate areas while providing effortless blending; the Vanish Seamless Finish Concealer Brush, designed for precise application; and the Ambient Complexion Brush, perfect for all-over blending. Former commerce writer Lily Wohlner commends the Ambient Lighting Edit Brush for its versatility and ergonomic design. This set is an investment in achieving a professional-level makeup finish.
Skin-Care Standouts
La Mer The Renewal Oil
La Mer’s The Renewal Oil is a celebrated product known for its immediate brightening effects. Social director Kassidy Silva describes it as a "60 seconds of luxury" that visibly enhances skin radiance. Formulated with La Mer’s proprietary Miracle Broth, a fermented blend of sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals, the oil also incorporates a potent mix of nourishing oils such as meadowfoam seed, sweet almond, and jojoba, alongside peptides. This synergistic combination works to deeply hydrate, soften, and promote a firmer, more youthful appearance. The dual-phase formula ensures optimal absorption and efficacy, making it a coveted addition to any high-end skincare regimen.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Duo
Consistent and effective sun protection is paramount, and Supergoop!’s Unseen Sunscreen offers a unique solution. Its entirely transparent formula acts as a velvety primer, smoothing the skin and creating an ideal canvas for makeup application. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Pearl Rimtepathip notes its matte finish and the importance of proper application to ensure full coverage. This duo is perfect for ensuring you always have this invisible, broad-spectrum SPF 50 on hand, offering protection without leaving a white cast or greasy residue. Contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee finds it an indispensable part of her daily routine, especially given its primer-like texture.
OSEA Hyaluronic Body Serum Duo
For those seeking to elevate their body care routine, OSEA’s Hyaluronic Body Serum is a standout. This Allure Best of Beauty Award winner is formulated with five different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, ensuring deep and multi-level hydration. It is further enhanced with niacinamide for brightening, aloe for soothing, and a blend of vegan peptides for firming. Senior commerce director Shanna Shipin highlights its suitability for sensitive skin, noting its fragrance-free composition and its efficacy throughout pregnancy and postpartum. The serum’s lightweight texture absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling supple and hydrated without any stickiness.
Lancôme Renergie H.C.F Triple Serum & Night Cream 3-Piece Gift Set
Lancôme’s Renergie H.C.F. Triple Serum represents a sophisticated approach to anti-aging skincare. This innovative serum combines three distinct yet complementary active ingredients in a single bottle: hyaluronic acid for hydration, vitamin C and niacinamide for brightening and texture refinement, and ferulic acid for antioxidant protection. The set includes both a full-size and a travel-size serum, alongside the Renergie Multi-Lift Night Cream, providing a comprehensive regimen for addressing signs of aging. Contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee, who has personally tested the serum, attests to its effectiveness in improving skin’s appearance. This trio is designed to deliver visible results in firmness, radiance, and wrinkle reduction.
Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand
In the realm of at-home beauty devices, the TheraFace Depuffing Wand offers a convenient and effective solution for facial rejuvenation. Unlike traditional cryotherapy tools, this wand utilizes adjustable heat and cold settings to reduce puffiness, brighten the under-eye area, and enhance circulation in as little as six minutes. Senior commerce director Shanna Shipin emphasizes its role as a quick method for achieving a more sculpted facial appearance in the morning. The device’s user-friendly design and multiple temperature options make it adaptable to various skin concerns and preferences, positioning it as a modern essential for targeted facial care.
Hair-Care Heroes
Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner
Moroccanoil’s Hydrating Conditioner is a staple for those with dry or damaged hair, offering deep nourishment and manageability. Its formulation is rich in argan oil, a potent ingredient known for its high concentration of beneficial fatty acids, which provides intensive moisture and softness. Cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline explains the unique benefits of argan oil in hair care. Contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee praises the conditioner’s "slip" and its ability to coat the hair strands without feeling heavy or greasy, making it ideal for long or thick hair. This product is essential for maintaining healthy, hydrated hair.
Olaplex Double Shine N°7 Bonding Oil Duo
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil is a highly effective hair treatment that strikes a balance between providing essential moisture and shine without weighing hair down. Its proprietary bond-building technology, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, works to repair damaged hair structures. The oil is further enriched with smoothing agents and nourishing botanical oils, including moringa seed, sunflower seed, and grapeseed oil, to soften, repair, and add glossy shine. Managing editor Alessandra Foresto has personally experienced the benefits of this product. The duo ensures a consistent supply of this coveted treatment, which also offers heat protection.
Bio Ionic Long Barrel Styler Curling Iron
For achieving effortlessly beautiful waves and curls, the Bio Ionic Long Barrel Styler Curling Iron is a standout tool. Its extended barrel design is particularly beneficial for individuals with long hair, allowing for more hair to be wrapped around the barrel, thus reducing styling time. Senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick attests to its efficacy for long hair. The iron utilizes Bio Ionic’s signature moisturizing ion technology to ensure consistent heat distribution and minimize heat damage, promoting smoother, shinier results. Available in multiple barrel sizes, it caters to a range of styling preferences.
T3 AireBrush
The T3 AireBrush is an innovative styling tool designed to simplify the blow-drying and styling process. Hairstylist Jennifer Korab recommends it as an excellent option for beginners due to its lightweight design, multiple heat and speed settings, and smooth ceramic barrel. The brush glides through hair with ease, minimizing pulling and tugging. Former associate director of audience development Melanie Curry has found it to be an effective tool for creating polished blowouts. This all-in-one device combines the power of a blow dryer with the styling capability of a round brush, streamlining the routine for salon-quality results at home.
Fragrance Favorites
Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Home & Away Gift Set
Jo Malone London’s Wood Sage & Sea Salt fragrance is celebrated for its unique and evocative scent profile. Contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee describes it as capturing the essence of a coastal escape, with notes of ambrette seed, sea salt, and sage creating an airy and sophisticated aroma. This gift set includes both a full-size and a travel-size bottle, allowing users to enjoy the fragrance throughout the day and on the go. The scent’s departure from traditional beachy notes like coconut and vanilla makes it a distinctive choice for those seeking a fresh, natural, and grounding aroma.
Byredo Bal d’Afrique Eau de Parfum Set
Byredo’s Bal d’Afrique is a highly sought-after fragrance, praised for its vibrant and complex composition. This set offers a comprehensive way to experience the scent, including the Eau de Parfum along with a matching perfume oil and hand cream. The fragrance opens with bright citrus and floral notes of neroli and marigold, transitioning into a warmer base of cedarwood and vetiver. Contributing commerce editor Sarah Han has expressed her admiration for this particular fragrance. The accompanying products allow for layering the scent, ensuring its longevity and enhancing its overall presence.
Tory Burch Sublime Eau de Parfum Set
Tory Burch’s Sublime Eau de Parfum, a recipient of an Allure Best of Beauty Award, is a radiant and sophisticated fragrance. It features a harmonious blend of classic notes such as rose and vetiver, complemented by the unique floral sweetness of osmanthus and a subtle hint of leather. Social director Kassidy Silva notes its uplifting quality. This set includes a full-size bottle and a travel-sized version, making it ideal for maintaining the scent’s presence throughout the day or for taking it on the go. The fragrance’s balanced composition makes it suitable for a variety of occasions and seasons.
Strategic Shopping: Maximizing Value During the Sale
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is an excellent opportunity for consumers to acquire high-quality beauty products at a fraction of their usual cost. The availability of exclusive gift sets and value bundles amplifies the savings, allowing shoppers to experiment with new products or stock up on established favorites. The sale’s structure, offering new arrivals at reduced prices, also means that popular items tend to sell out quickly. Early access for Nordstrom cardholders typically precedes the public sale, but this year’s open access ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to secure these coveted deals.
The inclusion of editor-loved products and award-winning formulations from publications like Allure provides a layer of assurance regarding product efficacy and desirability. This curated approach simplifies the shopping process for consumers, guiding them toward proven performers. The breadth of the beauty assortment—spanning makeup, skincare, hair care, and fragrance—means that shoppers can address multiple aspects of their beauty regimen in one shopping trip.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
The success of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has a ripple effect throughout the beauty industry. It serves as a significant driver of sales for participating brands, often boosting their visibility and introducing new customers to their product lines. For consumers, it represents a strategic period for informed purchasing, allowing for the acquisition of premium goods at more accessible price points. As the sale continues to be a highlight of the retail calendar, its influence on consumer behavior and brand performance remains a key factor in the beauty market. The 125th anniversary edition, with its unprecedented scale, further solidifies the sale’s position as a pivotal event for both retailers and consumers alike.
